See beautiful cherry blossoms in February in Shizuoka, about three hours from Tokyo

Tokyo’s cherry blossoms aren't expected to bloom before late March, but you can get a taste of the pink blooms from early February on the southernmost tip of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka prefecture. The town of Minami Izu has a sakura and rapeseed blossom festival that runs from February 1 until March 10.

The pink spectacle takes place along the Aono River in the Shimogamo Onsen area and at the nearby Shimogamo Onsen Yu no Hana rest stop. About 800 Kawazu cherry blossom trees and plenty of yellow rape blossoms line the 4.2-km-long stretch along the Aono River. Kawazu cherry blossoms were first discovered in 1972 in Kawazu, a little town further north on the Izu Peninsula. Thanks to Izu’s warm climate, these cherry blossoms bloom earlier than any other sakura type around Japan.

Between February 10 and 28, you can hop of a rickshaw which will take you on a 20-minute cherry blossom viewing course around the area (¥3,000 per person). 

Make sure to stay until the evening, when the sakura between Kujobashi Bridge and Maeharabashi Bridge are beautifully lit up. Close to the roadside station Shimogamo Onsen Yu no Hana and at the Shiroganenoyu Bridge, you’ll also find illuminated sakura trees. The light-up takes place daily from 6pm to 9pm. Additionally, you can also catch a cherry blossom and bamboo light illumination on the evenings of February 20, 21 and 22 (6pm-8pm) around the Gin-no-Yu Bridge.

A visit to Minami Izu is doable in a day – it takes about three hours from Tokyo’s Shinagawa Station. However, if you rather take your time exploring the area, you can also turn it into an overnight trip as there are many resorts in the area like Kyukamura Minami Izu hotel.

Make sure to check the festival’s website for more information.

This article was published on January 26 2022 and updated on January 29 2026.

More from Time Out Tokyo

These are Japan’s 11 award-winning travel experiences for 2026

Here's the official Japan cherry blossom forecast for 2026 – updated Jan 22

BTS announce Tokyo dates for their comeback tour – here's how to get tickets

Japan’s favourite puffed corn snack was just sold at auction for ¥1.15 million

Ikea is closing its Harajuku and Shinjuku locations in February

Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.